The 535th CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post ranks teams from 56 leagues worldwide based on the level of pressure they exert on their opponents. This was calculated using the following data from Impect: distance to an own goal from the pressure applied, speed of breaking possession, frequency of defensive actions relative to passes conceded, and propensity to commit fouls in the final third of the pitch when not in possession*.
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In the top five European leagues, Italy’s Como 1907 tops the ranking, reflecting coach Cesc Fàbregas’ philosophy of constant pressure on opponents. Paris St-Germain (Luis Enrique) and Bayern Munich (Vincent Kompany) round out the top three teams in the top five leagues with the most proactive defensive styles. South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns lead the ranking among non-European clubs.
The highest pressure index among the 883 teams analyzed was measured for Dutch club ADO Den Haag, current leaders of the Eerste Divisie, whose German coach, Robin Peter, also promotes an aggressive defensive style. At the other end of the spectrum, AC Milan ranked highest among the Big Five leagues, and Austrian TSV Hartberg ranked highest among all teams studied (both with quite convincing results).
*The pressure index was calculated based on the standard deviation of these four indicators compared to the club’s league average. The data for each indicator is also presented as a ratio to the league average.
